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When to Plant Turnip in Wayne County, IN

Turnips are a fast-growing cool-season root vegetable with edible roots and greens. Baby turnips are sweet and tender while mature ones are more pungent.

Wayne County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 1,322 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 38 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Wayne County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Wayne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Jul 26

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 711 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Turnip needs ~875 GDD — county provides 3,045 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Wayne County, IN

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 27

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 4" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

174 days

Growing Tips for Wayne County

Direct sow in early spring or late summer. Harvest when roots are 2-3 inches in diameter for best flavor. Both the roots and the greens are nutritious and edible.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Turnip in Wayne County, IN?

Wayne County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wayne County, IN?

Wayne County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wayne County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Wayne County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.